Template:Featured article/2011/02
The set 8097 Slave I was released in July/August 2010 as part of the LEGO Classic Star Wars line. It was released early in the U.K. and in the U.S.A. on July 14 in most Toys 'R' Us Stores, and in August in most other stores. The set consists of 573 pieces, and includes Boba Fett (New Design), Bossk, Han Solo (New Design) and Han Solo (Carbonite, New Design) minifigures. This set is one of several released in 2010 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. This sets is also the fifth version of this vehicle designed by LEGO. (See: Other sets containing Slave I)
Although being another complete redesign of the Slave I, the model carries over many of the features from the most recent previous release of the set, the 2006 6209 Slave I. One of the most notable features of the Slave I is the fact that the wings rotate with gravity. When the ship is picked up, or placed in a sort of "flight mode", the wings rotate with to keep level with the ground as much as possible. Along the lines of the rotating wings, is the interesting design of the ship, giving it the ability to land flat on the bottom, but take off and fly at a 90 degree angle with the base pointing outwards.
